Reed Hastings, co-founder and chairman of Netflix, has donated $2 million to support California Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to reshape the state’s electoral map.
A staunch opponent of the Republican Party, Hastings is financially backing the Democrats’ strategy to edge out their political rivals from legislative seats. This move involves a process known as gerrymandering—redrawing electoral district lines to boost the Democratic Party’s influence in the state Senate while making traditionally Republican districts more favorable to the governor’s agenda.
While gerrymandering is technically legal, it’s widely regarded as a controversial tactic. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has publicly condemned the maneuver, calling it a blatant abuse of power. Hastings himself acknowledges that his investment may not appear entirely democratic. However, he defends it as a proportionate response to similar redistricting efforts led by Republicans in Texas, where electoral maps are being redrawn to favor GOP candidates.
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California, still reeling from devastating wildfires, a stagnant film industry, and the intense protests that erupted in June, now faces this new political upheaval. Hastings’ bold move could have unintended consequences, even for Netflix. The new administration in Washington has already shown a willingness to crack down on media companies that challenge its authority. By aligning himself with this contentious redistricting effort, Hastings risks drawing the ire of a White House that’s quick to retaliate. For Netflix, a company already navigating a turbulent entertainment landscape, this could spell trouble—a political misstep that might hit the streaming giant where it hurts.
